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There are several ways to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and while the fastest is flying, it isn’t always the right option. Maybe you’re traveling with a dog, maybe you’re on a budget, or maybe you just want to see more of Thailand along the way.
If you would rather take the train with your pup, see my full train travel with a dog guide first.
I’ve done this route several times over the years, by plane, train, bus, and private car, including twice with my pug Puglo. Here’s the breakdown of every option, what it costs, how long it takes, links to book, and what to expect if you need to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with a dog.
Quick Comparison: Bangkok to Chiang Mai Options
| Option | Travel Time | Approx. Cost | Best For |
| Flight | 1 to 1.5 hours | 1,500 to 2,000 THB | Speed, no pets in cabin |
| Train | 10 to 14 hours | 300 to 1,300 THB | Scenery, saving on a hotel night |
| Bus | 9 to 12 hours | 800 to 1,200 THB | Budget travel, backpackers |
| Private transfer | 9 to 10 hours | 8,000 to 10,000 THB | Traveling with a dog, comfort, flexibility |
If you want to compare all your options side by side before booking, how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on 12Go is a great place to start. It shows live schedules and prices across every transport type, so you can see what’s actually running on your travel dates before committing to a plan.
If you use ChatGPT for trip planning, 12Go also has an app built right into it now that you can use to plan an entire multi-stop trip around Thailand. Instead of digging through multiple tabs, you can just ask something like “what’s the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai” or “how do I get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on a budget,” and it’ll pull real routes, schedules, and booking options straight into the conversation.
Flying from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Flying is the quickest way to cover the roughly 700 km between the two cities. Flights run about 1 to 1.5 hours and depart from either Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK), depending on the airline. Thai AirAsia, Thai Vietjet, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Airways all fly the route multiple times a day, and fares can be quite affordable if you book ahead.
Note that the base price is with minimal luggage included, so if you’re traveling with a lot of baggage, this could end up costing much more.
Flying is where it gets complicated if you’re traveling with a dog. The airlines that fly this route don’t allow pets in the cabin, and checked cargo isn’t an option for snub-faced breeds. But if you’re pet-free and want to get there quickly, flying is one of the easiest options to get between Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Search flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai here
Taking the Train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
The train is the scenic choice, and it’s a proper Thai travel experience if you have the time. Trains depart from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok and arrive at Chiang Mai Railway Station, running about 10 to 14 hours depending on the service.
There are multiple trains a day on this route: a mix of overnight sleeper trains and daytime seated trains, and the classes available depend on which one you book.
- First Class Sleeper (AC): A private, lockable 2-berth cabin with air conditioning, a fold-down table, and an attendant who sets up your bedding. Only found on the overnight sleeper trains, one carriage per train, and it sells out fast.
- Second Class Sleeper (AC): Open-plan carriages with curtained upper and lower berths, air conditioning, and bedding provided. The most popular way to do this route overnight.
- Second Class Sleeper (Fan, no AC): Same open bunk layout, but with ceiling fans and openable windows instead of air conditioning. The older, more basic version of second class, and the one that’s pet-friendly.
- Third Class Seat (Fan, no AC): Basic bench seating, no reservations needed, and the cheapest way to do this route.
If you’re traveling with a pet, dogs are allowed in both the second class fan carriage and third class. They’re strictly banned from any air-conditioned carriage, which rules out first class and the AC version of second class.
I did this route with Puglo in the second class fan carriage overnight, and it was not a great experience for him. The windows stay open the entire ride, so it’s loud, warm, and unpredictable, and Puglo was visibly stressed by the end of it. It was affordable, just a few hundred baht, but I wouldn’t call it comfortable for either of us.
However, I know people who have taken the air conditioned sleeper trains, and enjoyed it a lot more.
Book train tickets between Chiang Mai and Bangkok here.
Taking the Bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
The bus is the budget option, and there are a lot of operators to choose from, including Nakhonchai Air, Bangkok Busline, and Sritawong Tour. Buses depart from Mochit Bus Terminal in Bangkok and arrive at Chiang Mai’s Arcade Bus Terminal, running roughly 9 to 12 hours depending on whether you pick a VIP overnight sleeper bus or a standard daytime service. Fares generally land between 800 and 1200 THB.
Buses are comfortable enough, with air conditioning, reclining seats, and rest stops along the way, but pets typically aren’t permitted onboard any Thai bus company I’ve come across. If you’re traveling with a dog, this one’s off the table.
It’s a popular option among backpackers, though, and one of the most straightforward ways to do this route if you’re not on a tight schedule.
Book bus tickets between Chiang Mai and Bangkok here.
Private Transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
This is the option I’d recommend for anyone traveling with a dog who wants comfort without the train stress. A private driver picks you up directly from your accommodation and drives you the roughly 9 to 10 hour route, mostly along Highway 1 through Lampang and Ayutthaya, with stops whenever you need them for bathroom breaks or to let your dog stretch.
I did this leg with Puglo from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and it was by far the most relaxed way we’ve traveled this route. It cost around 9,500 THB, which is significantly more than a bus or train ticket, but you’re paying for door to door service, control over the pace, and a dog who isn’t panicking in a loud open-air train car.
Book a private transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
What is the best way to travel to Chiang Mai from Bangkok?
If you’re pet-free and just want to get there, fly. It’s fast, cheap, and simple. If you want to see the countryside and don’t mind a long ride, the sleeper train is a classic Thailand experience. If you’re on a tight budget, the bus gets the job done. And if you’re traveling with a dog and want the least stressful version of this trip, book a private transfer.
Whichever way you go, I’d start by checking current schedules and prices on 12Go, since routes and fares shift seasonally and it’s the easiest way to see everything running on your actual travel dates in one place.
For the full story on flying, entry paperwork, and getting around Thailand with a dog beyond just this one route, check out my complete guide to bringing a dog to Thailand.
Visiting Chiang Mai
It’s no secret that Chiang Mai is one of my favorite places on earth. I love it so much I bought an apartment here! It has one of the strongest digital nomad communities in the world, and there are events and meetups happening almost every day, which makes it incredibly easy to build a community here. The coffee and cafe scene is a dream. Every time I come back to Chiang Mai it feels like there are 50 more cafes, each one cooler than the last.
As far as being here with a dog, it’s one of the most pet-friendly places in Thailand. Dogs are generally welcome in most cafes, shopping malls, outdoor restaurants, and on the back of Grab motorbikes.
Beyond the digital nomad and dog-friendly side of things, Chiang Mai has over 300 temples to explore, easy day trips to waterfalls and hiking trails just outside the city, and some incredible glamping sites. You can also take weekend trips to Pai or Chiang Rai if you want to venture further. The northern Thai food scene alone is worth the trip!
Despite how much the city has grown, it’s still one of the most affordable digital nomad destinations around, with plenty of people getting by comfortably on less than 1,000 USD a month.
If you’re thinking about basing yourself here longer term, my Chiang Mai digital nomad guide covers everything you need to know.
Visiting Bangkok
Bangkok is just too big a city for me to live in, but I love visiting, and every trip feels like a new adventure. The city is so full of life, and as far as food goes, you can have some truly epic experiences here. If you want to get past the obvious tourist spots, start with this list of non-touristy things to do in Bangkok.
Bangkok has it all: insane nightlife, the classic Khao San Road backpacker scene alongside upscale rooftop bars, dog cafes, endless beautiful hotels and apartments to choose from, and enough shopping malls to fill an entire trip on their own. There’s also a solid digital nomad community here, it just has a different energy than Chiang Mai’s.
Chiang Mai vs. Bangkok
These two cities feel very different, and that’s part of what makes Thailand such a great place to travel. Chiang Mai is slower, more laid-back, surrounded by mountains and temples, and easier on the wallet. Bangkok is fast-paced, massive, and endlessly entertaining, with a nightlife and food scene that’s hard to match anywhere in Southeast Asia.
The good news is you don’t have to choose. As this guide shows, getting between the two is easy no matter which way you travel, so I always recommend building both into your Thailand itinerary rather than picking just one.
FAQ: Getting From Chiang Mai to Bangkok
Can I bring my dog from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
Not by plane or bus. The only pet-friendly options are the second class fan carriage on the train or a private transfer, which is the most comfortable choice for pets.
What’s the cheapest way to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok?
The third class fan train is typically the cheapest option, followed by the bus.
What’s the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Flying, at around 1 to 1.5 hours.
Is it worth taking the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Yes, especially the sleeper option, since you cover the distance overnight while you sleep and wake up in Chiang Mai without losing a full travel day.
Is there a high speed train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Not yet. Thailand’s high speed rail project to Chiang Mai has been in planning for years but construction hasn’t started, so the fastest current option remains flying.
Is Chiang Mai really worth visiting?
Absolutely, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world for the food, the digital nomad community, and how dog-friendly it is for Asia.
How long is a train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai?
Around 10 to 14 hours, depending on which service you book.
However you choose to make the trip, Chiang Mai and Bangkok are both worth your time, and getting between them is easier than it looks. If you’re traveling with a dog, plan around the private transfer or the second class train, and if you’re pet-free, take your pick based on your budget and how much of Thailand you want to see along the way.
